Aurat March was hijacked'

Ahmad Ali Butt faces heat for claiming movement is foreign-funded

During a podcast with entrepreneur Kanwal Cheema, actor Ahmad Ali Butt sparked controversy with his comments on the #MeToo Movement and Aurat March. "Like the #MeToo Movement, Aurat March was also hijacked. Now, there's even proof that these movements are being heavily funded just to disrupt the family structure of Pakistan," he claimed.

However, Butt failed to provide any evidence or data to back his statement. He further amplified the backlash by sharing a snippet of his views on feminism on his Instagram account. The post quickly drew sharp criticism from showbiz figures and social media users, who condemned his unsupported claims.

Schooling feminism

Actor and former model Frieha Altaf wrote, "Oh, hello! Please look up the definition of 'feminism'. Feminism stands for full social, economic, and political equality for women. Humanity suffers when one gender is discriminated against. For example, women not being allowed to work or getting paid less for the same job, not allowed to vote, and basically not allowed a choice."

She added that, socially, women are considered lesser beings, who don't possess the ability to make their own decisions, and are viewed as baby-producing machines. "Ahmad, I'm so disappointed that you made the statement that #MeToo and Aurat March are foreign-funded. These opinions must be backed with facts," she wrote.

"For years, women have endured sexual harassment at workplaces, being looked at in a lewd way, and being inappropriately touched. How could you, a man, know what that feels like?" she said. "The courage it took to speak up on this became a global voice. By saying that Aurat March is disrupting your family structure and that women are created to multiply, you are insinuating that that's their only purpose in life."

Frieha believes that the same principle applies to men whose sole function in society is not just to be providers. "Let me tell you that feminism and Islam do not take away women's rights. They give them those rights. If a woman chooses to be a homemaker, she does it out of free will; she's not a prisoner. If her husband, father, or brother force her to be a homemaker, then she's definitely a prisoner. Now, can we stop being so obsessed with women's clothing? 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi' is about choice and free will. Let it be a choice."

Where is the proof?

Many in the comments section questioned Ahmad on potentially spreading misinformation. Joyland director Saim Sadiq wrote, "Where is the proof of this foreign funding? Please share it immediately or apologise for your irresponsible and factually incorrect lies."

Activist Leena Ghani was quick to point out the podcaster's hypocrisy. "If Ahmad Ali Butt hates feminists so much, does he also hate his own grandmother, Madam Noor Jehan? She was a true feminist icon. She wore what she wanted because she understood the power of 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi'. She built a legendary career in a male-dominated industry. She paved the way for countless women in music and lived unapologetically on her own terms."

Leena added, "Typical how men like him, who, let's be honest, no one would even know of if not for his grandmother, enjoy the benefits of powerful women in their own family but have a problem when other women demand the same freedom."

Digital creator Saddia Mazhar called out both Ahmad and Kanwal on their views. "Feminism is about empowerment and equal rights. Kanwal, the very reason you are sitting here and speaking on multiple platforms is because of the strength and space that feminism has provided," she began.

"Ahmad, instead of spreading baseless propaganda, present concrete proof if you claim that Aurat March is funded and aims to destroy Pakistan's family structure. Otherwise, it's best to remain silent," she asserted. "These individuals, sitting comfortably in their lavish studios, have no genuine concern for societal welfare. Their only goal is to stir controversy and spread misinformation."

On hypocrisy

Other users also weighed in on the debate, with many echoing the sentiment that there is no concrete proof to back Ahmad's claims. In addition, an Instagram user slammed the close-up shots of women overlaying the clip when the interviewer and his guest discussed the topic of "indecency".

"What's with that voyeuristic montage of women's bodies at the start? Why are you acting like a t-shirt and jhumkas are some anomaly?" the user wrote. "Did amnesia hit you overnight or are you just performing purity now? You were not exactly observing purdah during your days in EP, and you definitely ran in circles full of 'modern' women throughout your career. Did a memory wipe come with this midlife rebrand?"

Netizens even criticised Ahmad for building a mass narrative based on "dangerous" claims that are sure to influence the wrong crowd, urging him to be careful with what he perpetuates to his large following.